Mr Clegg must be kicking himself. Just imagine the field day he would be having if he was in opposition at the moment. On this issue the Lib Dems could genuinely claim to hold the high ground, given that both Labour and the Conservatives have paid homage to the court of Murdoch for years and they have not. All the plaudits which are now going to Ed Miliband could well have gone to Clegg. Just think how the Lib Dem opposition to the Iraq war gave them a real voice and a bounce in the polls.
Instead Mr Clegg is forced to defend the Prime Minister for something he and many others advised him against him doing - hiring Andy Coulson. Indeed all of the Lib Dem members of the government must feel in a pretty difficult position at the moment. It is interesting how Vince Cable has kept reasonably quiet - he must secretly be pleased with the lessening of Mr Murdoch's influence.
The tragedy for Clegg and the Lib Dems is that this is the type of situation where they would be at their most effective. Although, Mr Clegg is probably enjoying the fact that Mr Cameron is feeling the heat for once. For a lot of his time as Deputy Prime Minister, he has been taking the heat for the whole government, leaving Mr Cameron sitting pretty. That said, Mr Clegg must be hugely frustrated that he has to sit on his hands on this issue and remain loyal to his master.
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